The TAFE Advantage

How Online TAFE Courses Can Boost your Career

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) expressed the prevalence of a high rate of skills gaps in various industries, due to the more specialized requirements that industries need. Educational institutions have acknowledged these specialized needs, and have started to offer programs under vocational and technical (TAFE Courses), while some Bachelor programs and secondary schools are offered by mainly voc-tech institutions. Though the public’s perception of technical and vocational and training education having lower standards as compared to university degree education, statistics from McCrindle and Deloitte Access Economics say otherwise:

  • 78.2% of graduates were employed after training with VET certificates
  • Of those employed after training, 80.7% found that the training was relevant to their jobs
    60.6% of graduates had an improved employment status after training
  • Of those employed before training, 16.3% of graduates were employed at a higher skill level after training
  • 32.9% of graduates were employed in the same occupation as their training course
  • 83.5% of graduates had fully or partly achieved their main reason for training
  • 80.7% of graduates employed after training found the training was relevant to their current job
  • The median full-time income for a VET graduate is $56,000 versus $54,000 for a someone with a bachelor degree
  • Nearly eight in 10 VET graduates have a job soon after training, versus about seven in 10 university graduates
  • More than nine in 10 trade apprentices have jobs after finishing training.
  • The number of VET qualifications held by those employed is expected to increase by 327,000 over the next five years.
  • Certificate III/IV qualifications are expected to account for 59% of additional VET qualifications required over the five years to 2018-19.

These numbers state how beneficial it is for your career, and moreover for the country, to continuously develop and enhance your skills by enrolling in technical and further education programs. But what exactly do these programs offer, and what are the specific benefits of these courses?

What is TAFE?

TAFE, or the Technical and Further Education sector, is the biggest education and training sector in Australia. There is a wide range of subject areas and courses to choose from that covers various industries, such as courses in business, finance, hospitality, tourism, construction, engineering, visual arts, information technology, and community work. TAFE courses offer practical skills and vocational training to both local and international students, in order for you to achieve their career goals. There are numerous TAFE institutes present in Australia, which offer the courses you need specifically for your profession.

There are different types of TAFE courses – from certificate courses to full-time postgraduate levels. English language proficiency is needed to take a Bachelors Degree, Associate Degree, Diploma or Advanced Diploma courses at TAFE institutions. If you are not proficient in English, then you should first look for institutes providing foundation studies and English Language training, prior to attending other courses.

What is the difference between TAFE, University, and Private Colleges?

With the range of courses and education providers in Australia, it can be difficult to know where to study. This will depend on two factors – what you want to study, and what type of career you want to have. There are 3 main types of education providers in Australia:

Universities

Australian Universities are an obvious choice for those who want a career in a regulated profession such as law, nursing, dentistry, medicine, architecture or engineering, but this covers a small portion of all the fields that can be studied at a university. Universities also offer other degrees in general areas such as science, business, and the arts. Universities usually focus on higher education, offering a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Universities offer academic courses and prepare students to work in their chosen professional careers. Each university has a large, community atmosphere which offers a wide range of courses and qualification levels and features a number of student services and facilities.

TAFE Institutes

TAFE (Technical and Further Education) Institutes offer practically oriented VET (Vocational Education and Training) Courses at certificate and diploma levels, which focus on preparing students for vocational or para-professional careers such as working in the hospitality industry, childcare, or design, among many others. They are government-owned, and these institutes provide courses designed to give students the skills needed by employers with work experience and training. Industry-standard equipment usages are incorporated into most courses, so you will graduate ready for employment.

TAFE courses have a practical focus, lower entry requirements, and a shorter completion time for lower costs. Studying at a TAFE is also a great pathway into higher education studies, allowing you to progress to a higher-level qualification, often with credit.

Private Colleges

Private Colleges offer higher education courses including bachelor degrees and/or postgraduate degrees, VET courses, or a combination of both. Private providers are subject to extensive regulation and should be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Private Colleges are usually smaller than universities and specialize in a particular field of study, wherein you will be surrounded by a smaller community of students who most likely share the same interests as you.

What is an RTO?

RTOs (Registered Training Organization) are institutes offering VET (Vocational Education and Training) services. RTO VET courses offer either diploma or certificate programs where you can obtain a Diploma, Vocational Graduate Diploma, or Advanced Diploma, after successfully completing a course. You can also choose to receive certificates, such as a Vocational Graduate Certificate, Certificates I, II, III and IV.

If you are inclined to choosing an RTO course, then you should make sure that the institute that you select is officially registered with the Government of Australia. The official government website would have a list of registered RTO institutes, and it is advisable for you to consult this list to confirm whether the institute of your choice is government-registered or not.

LearnMe is a Nationally Recognised Australian RTO helping people like you grow in your field of interest since 1999. LearnMe boasts of a skilled team of dedicated trainers and staff who are committed to going the extra distance for each of their students.

RTO number: 31449

The Advantages of getting TAFE Courses Online from LearnMe

1. Learn practical, job-oriented skills which will help you in improving employment prospecting
The increasing need for specialized and technical skills, particularly in the Information and Communications Technology industry, is prevalent. Compared to enrolling in programs that cover topics you may not even need, enrolling in TAFE courses online will give you the opportunity to learn exactly what your industry needs, without having to waste your resources on other classes.

​2. Receive individual attention from teachers in each course
Having mentors that focus on your individual performance improves your chances of maximizing all lessons from any course. Individual attention will enable you to have your specific needs addressed.

3. Enjoy a wide range of subjects to choose from
If you are considering a career in another industry, working in multiple industries, or you would like to increase your technical know-how related to your interests or hobbies, then taking TAFE courses online is the right step for you.

4. Study Wherever, Learn Whenever you want
The convenience of enrolling in courses online is evident, especially for people who have limited time, or those who need flexible study hours that can be adjusted according to your routine. The freedom of being able to study in your own time, at your place of choice, in your own pace, eliminates the stress of continuing education as compared to attending regular classes in universities.

5. Affordable prices that only cost over half of the courses from other Training Institutes
Studying TAFE courses online is a cost-efficient alternative to other training methods. Get quality education for a fraction of the normal costs.

Education is your best investment, and continuously developing yourself will lead you to the success you want in your career. Contact us today to get more information, and find out how LearnMe can help you take the right step for your career.

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